Improvement in locks and latches



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN LOCKS AND LATCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 43,035, dated June 7, 15264. 4

To all whom it may concern:

rlatch with the latch-bolt set for a right hand door, Fig. 2,

the same with latch-bolt reversed, as for a left-hand door; Fig. 3, a view ot' the interior withlatch-bolt set in place; Fig. 4, the same with latch-bolt drawn out .for the purpose of reversing; Fig. 5, an interior view of niain case with latch-bolt and its case removed, and in Fig. G the latch-bolt and its case detached from the case.

Similar letters refer to like parts.

My invention relates to an improvement in reversible locks and latches, or those constructed so as to be changed to suit either a right or left hand door. In the patent granted to me May 5, 1863, the latch-bolt and its operative mechanism were placed in a case independent ot' the main case, and to reverse the latch-bolt it is necessary to remove the independent case entirely from the main case and reverse the case and bolt. There are objections to this construction, the principalgof which is that it requires some mechanical Skill to reverse the latchbolt, to overcome ywhich is the object ofthe invention forl which f' I now ask Letters Patent, and which consists in placing the latch-bolt with its operative mechanism in a case or frame independent ot' the main case, and the said independent case placed within the main case, so that the latch- `bolt will extend through the face-plate ofthe main case, and thc said independent case constructed so that by taking hold of the latch-holt with the thumb and linger the bolt, with its independent case, may be drawn forward far enough to allow the latch-bolt to be turned and pressed back into the main case without removing the independent case from the main case, or without any apparent difference from the common lock and latch of the same manufacture.

To more fully illustrate my invention, I will proceed to describe it in connection with the accompanying drawings.

A is the main case, B the face-plate, and C the lock-bolt, all constructed in the usual manner. In the upper part of the main case I place an independent case or frame, D, in which the latch-bolt E and its operative mechanism is set and properly adjusted, substantially the same as when placed in the main case. (See Figs. 3, 4, and 6.) The said independent case is shorter' than the Width of the main case, (see Figs. 4 and 3,) and when in place sets back against the main case, as in Fig. 3. I place a steel spring, a, or equivalent device, in the main case to bear against the independent case with only sufficient force to retain the said case in place. When placed upon the door, the spindle through the follower F securely holds the independent case in its place, and when so placed the latch-bolt cannot be withdrawn or reversed. Before placing the latchbolt upon the door, or before the spindle is inserted, if it is desired to reverse the latch-bolt, take hold ot' the latch-bolt with the thumb and finger, draw the bolt and its case forward, as .see Fig. 4, turn the bolt as desired, and press it back again into the main case in place, as in Fig. 3.

I construct the independent case alike for all locks, whereby my invention is equally applicable to t mortise,7 rim, or face locks. Therefore, without confining' myself to any particular class or style of locks, I do not broadly claim partially withdrawing the latch lbolt from the case for the purpose of reversing it, as such is not new; but

What I do claim as my invention and new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination ot' a loekand latch, when the latch-bolt and its operative mechanism are arranged in a case or frame independent of the main case, and constructed so that the latch-bolt may be reversed, substantially as described, without removing the said inde'- pendent case from the main case.

BURTON MALLJRY. Witnesses:

S. C. BABoocK, J oi-IN E. EARLE. 

